BUTTE, Mont. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a state request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant on Friday, authorizing the use of federal funds for firefighting costs of the Sand Creek Fire burning 31,652 acres with 1% containment southwest of Butte. The fire sparked on August 1. 

According to FEMA, there were at least 170 homes being threatened by the fire when the grant request was submitted. 

"The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires," FEMA said. "These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire." 

Items eligible to be covered under the grant include field camps and associated costs, repair and replacement of equipment, mobilization and demobilization activities, tools, and other materials and supplies. 

"We’re asking all Montanans to follow all necessary precautions and take the evacuation warnings and orders from local law enforcement seriously," Governor Greg Gianforte said in a press release. "As we enter the core of fire season, I ask all Montanans to stay updated with the latest updates and restrictions at mtfireinfo.org while our firefighters and law enforcement work to protect our communities."

Learn more on the FEMA website.